Page 22 of 223

22n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by " l" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required. <
Engine oil pressure l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top up as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication. <
Parking brake*/
Brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake. For additional informa-
tion: refer to page 66.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 141 and 161.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS." Parking brake warning lamp
*/
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Page 25 of 223
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
25nIndicator and warning lamps
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals
are operated. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 70.
Cruise control
Comes on when the cruise
control is activated: available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 74.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 98.
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 70 and 98.
Page 44 of 223

44nAlarm system
>If the indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds when the system is
disarmed: an attempted entry has
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. To prevent a false alarm from
being triggered (in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance), or when
the vehicle is transported by trailer or
train:
Actuate the lock (= arm the system)
twice; in other words, press button 2 of
the remote control twice in succession
(refer to page 38). You may also actuate
the locks twice with the key (refer to
page 36).
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are deactivated as long as the system is
armed.
Interior motion sensor
The illustration depicts the transmitter
and receiver of the interior motion
sensor.
In order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely
closed.
However, be sure to deactivate the
interior motion sensor (see the previous
column) when you wish to leave the
windows or sliding/tilt sunroof open.
530us019
Page 73 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
73nWasher/Wiper system Rear window defroster
Rear window wiper
0 Retracted (home) position of the rear
window wiper
1 Rear window wiper in intermittent operation. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is
switched on automatically
2 Clean the rear window
You can also program the interval:
> Switch briefly from position 0 to posi-
tion 1.
> The time until reactivation (from posi-
tion 0 to 1) is the programmed
interval (max. 30 seconds).
530us045
Programming is deleted:
>Approx. 10 seconds after the lever is
placed in position 0 or
> after the engine is switched off.
For changing the wiper blade, refer to
page 174.
To activate
Press the button: as long as the indi-
cator lamp remains on, the rear window
defroster continues at high-output
(rapid thaw).
After the indicator lamp goes out, the
defroster continues operating at
reduced power for a limited period
before deactivating automatically.
Vehicles with air conditioner:
Refer to page 100 for the location of the
button.
To deactivate
Press the button if the indicator lamp
lights up.
530us046
Page 79 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
79nCheck Control
Graphic display*
The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons from ignition
key position 2 and up until the defects
are corrected:
1 Check low beams
2 Add washer fluid (goes out after
approx. 1 minute)
3 Door open
4 Tailgate open
5 Check brake and tail lamps. A defective center brake lamp is indi-
cated by the upper symbol
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a
visual indicator for:
> LIGHTS ON and
> KEY IN IGNITION LOCK.
390de121
Alphanumeric display*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions when the
ignition key is turned to position 2. The
alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status report symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages concerning system faults are
differentiated based on two priorities:
390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning
symbol 1. Simultaneous defects will be
displayed consecutively. These status
messages remain in the display until the
defects are corrected. They cannot be
deleted by pressing the CHECK
button 3:
> RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
> COOLANT TEMPERATURE
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 78
and 160.
> STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to page 22.
Page 81 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
81nCheck Control
>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to page 70.
> CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake linings inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 141.
> CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 160.
> ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
There is a fault in the engine's elec-
tronic control system.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed. Have the system checked by
your BMW center. Displays after completion of trip
All of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>LIGHTS ON
> KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
> CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil at the next opportunity
(next stop for fuel). Refer to
page 157.
This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the
vehicle. A supplementary gong is also
heard.
Status reports remain available for a
period of approx. three minutes after
the display goes out and the key is
removed from the ignition. Press the
CHECK button 3. If there were multiple
reports, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
To check the Check Control
Press the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2: CHECK
CONTROL OK appears in the display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems.
Computer
You will find a description of the
computer in the Owner's Manual for
the Radio and Information System or
the Owner's Manual for the Onboard
Computer.
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages
displayed in a different language. <
Page 96 of 223
96n
Hill Descent Control (HDC)To activate the system
Press the button. The
green indicator lamp
comes on.
The indicator lamp flashes when the
brakes are applied automatically.
To deactivate the system Press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is deactivated automatically above
a road speed of approx. 35 mph
(60 km/h) and when the ignition is
switched off. 530us141
To use HDCWith manual transmission:
Use HDC in first gear and in Reverse
since the engine's braking effect is
diminished in the higher gears.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive
position. In the event of a faultThe indicator lamp goes out in the HDC
mode or does not come on when HDC
is activated:
HDC is temporarily not available if
brake temperature is too high.
If the DSC indicator lamp also
lights up:
There is a fault in the HDC and
DSC systems. Have your BMW center
inspect this system as soon as
possible.
Page 97 of 223
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
97n
Side lamps (side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
For lighting on one side for parking as
an additional feature, refer to page 98.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off
and the low beams are on, only
the side lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
530us051
LIGHTS ON warningWhenever you open the driver's door,
after having turned the ignition key to
position 0, you will hear a buzzing
sound for a few seconds to remind you
that the lamps have not been switched
off.
On vehicles with alphanumeric Check
Control
*:
The reminder is given through the
Check Control.
Daytime-driving lamp
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving at
ignition key position 2. Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.
530us052
Side lamps/Low beams Instrument lighting